CPS  
The College of Public Service at Tennessee State University

Spring/Summer 2017
About the Department of Public Administration
We are part of the College of Public Service at Tennessee State University. We house a NASPAA-accredited Masters in Public Administration (the sole PhD program in Public Administration offered by a public institution in the state of Tennessee);two graduate certificates in Nonprofit Management and Healthcare Administration and Planning; and the Masters in Professional Studies (a Regents Online Campus Collaborative online degree). In addition, we are pleased to continue our partnership with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Board of Probation, Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration, and Tennessee Department of Human Resources in providing the College of Public Service's Command College.
Dr. Michael Harris, Dean & Professor, College of Public Service
Dr. Michael Harris, Dean & Professor, College of Public Service
From the Dean's Desk
Dear students, faculty, staff, and alumni,
It is with great pleasure that I am writing to share with you that the joint effort of our alumni, students, faculty and staff have resulted in the emergence of our College and the Department of Public Administration.  We have emerged as a valuable contributor to the well-being of our region and beyond through innovative programming and curriculum. During the past few years, we have come together to better understand, accumulate knowledge and work to increase the contributions of government, nonprofit organizations, and businesses in what is nationally recognized as an emerging city and region. Together we represent a force for good that makes a difference on a daily basis. I believe that our commitment to students, scholarly work, and making a difference is intentional and timely. We are all participating in experiencing an era in which the role of high education/public administration in regional transformation is being reshaped. The fact is that it happens daily through the work and learning that each and every one of you do. It is with immense pride and humility that I write to thank you for your dedication and commitment to serving a public cause and a public good. 
We all will continue to build on the momentum that we have gained. 
Best,
Michael Harris, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor
College of Public Service
MHarris50@tnstate.edu
Dr. Rodney Stanley, Chair & Professor, Department of Public Administration
Dr. Rodney Stanley, Chair & Professor, Department of Public Administration
Message from the Department Chair

Dear alumni, current students, colleagues, and community members,

Since the last publication of The Public Servant newsletter, the Department of Public Administration and College of Public Service has emerged as one of the leading units at Tennessee State University. Therefore, the title “emergence” for the Spring/Summer 2017 TPS could not be any more be appropriate in defining our accomplishments over the past two years. We have hired two new faculty members (see more below) who bring new excitement and energy to our unit, through cutting edge ideas and exceptional research agendas. Our student recruitment efforts have resulted in our department and College being one of the only academic units showing positive increases in student enrollments and retention for the past academic year. Through the adoption of our Public Administration Executive Leadership certificate (also known as "Command College") and the new Public Policy certificate, we are witnessing a large number of state employees enrolling for the first time at TSU. In reference to the Public Policy certificate, we are seeing a number of alumni from our MPA program returning to gain expertise and skills in public policy decision-making. We have assembled a new MPA Advisory Committee of program stakeholders that will be assisting us in our reapplication for NASPAA accreditation. This group is comprised of MPA graduates, as well as a number of state and local government officials that bring years of practitioner experience to the committee. We are continuously seeking ways to ensure that we are effectively serving our students and the community.

We are pleased by the progress that is taking place in the Department of Public Administration and as always, I encourage alumni to stay in touch. We encourage submissions of accomplishments, awards, career changes, life events or just a change of address. Simply fill out the Alumni Contact Form - it only takes a moment. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Rodney Stanley
Chair and Professor
Department of Public Administration
RStanley1@tnstate.edu

Looking Back & Looking Forward
With each TPS newsletter, we reach out for updates from our distinguished alumni, current students, and faculty. However, given the theme of the Spring/Summer 2017 TPS newsletter - emergence - we had contributors reflect on where they've been, where they're going, as well as the impact of earning a degree from the Department of Public Administration. We had an overwhelming response from our alumni, students, and faculty, so we've selected a portion of those responses to showcase.
Q How did earning a degree from the Department of Public Administration change your future?
  • "Earning an MPA helped me be aware of and anticipate the various organizational constraints commonly found in governmental agencies." -Cory Brunson (MPA 2015)
  • "Perspective. Understanding that there must be a healthy medium between public agencies and private partnerships." -Frank Cardenas (MPA 2011; Grad Certificate in Health Admin & Planning 2015)
  • "Earning a degree from DPA set me on a path that lead me to acquiring my ideal career, and provided me with a solid foundation as I continue to grow in my profession." -Tyler Carpenter (MPA 2015; Grad Certificate in Health Admin & Planning 2015)
  • "Since earning a Ph.D. in Public Administration, I have participated in opportunities to publish articles and contribute to larger publications. Professionally, I have transitioned to an Assistant Vice Chancellor position at the Tennessee Board of Regents, and now to the position of Executive Director of Complete Tennessee, leading an advocacy organization and think tank centered on improving higher education in the state." -Dr. Kenyatta Lovett (PhD 2014)
  • "My curiosity for now nonprofits worked increased, and I learned important aspects such as fundraising, buildnig a board of directors, increasing efficiency and effectiveness, and earning an MPA put me in a position to be hired by a nonprofit." - April Terrell (MPA 2009)
  • "Earning my MPA and Graduate Certificate reinforced and solidified my professional worth, while offering others the certified symbolism. The College of Public Service invested a WEALTH of knowledge, time, and understanding in me." - Aaron Toran, Jr. (MPA 2016; Grad Certificate in Nonprofit Management 2016)
  • "I had a wonderful experience through TSU's DPA program, and I received a great deal of support from the faculty. I appreciate the opportunities I was afforded through the program, including traveling to China. The education I received through the PhD program will continue to open doors for me, and validates my passion for learning, diversity, and understanding the public sector." -Dr. Candace Warner (PhD 2016)
Q What excites you about the future of public and nonprofit administration?
  • "I believe more citizens, of all races, will wake up and require more from our government." -Atolagbe Abayomi (MPA 2011)
  • "The continued development of new ways to provide services to the citizens of Tennessee." -Brenda Bright (Current MPA Student)
  • "I feel that the advancements in Information Technologies will provide more efficient and transparent information from the public sector, and to the constituents that they serve." -Frank Cardenas (MPA 2011; Grad Certificate in Health Admin & Planning 2015)
  • "I'm excited about the innovative and inspiring generation of young people joining the public sector, and the continued use and adoption of technology in addressing pressing issues in our cities and our state." -Tyler Carpenter (MPA 2015; Grad Certificate in Health Admin & Planning 2015)
  • "The transformation in our society through technology has allowed for many new approaches to governing and governance that allow scholars, researchers, and practitioners to explore new and innovative ways to serve the public. I have been fortunate to have worked in the private, public, and now non-profit sector, which allows me to make use of the strengths in all sectors to make a positive impact on society." -Dr. Kenyatta Lovett (PhD 2014)
  • "I am always excited to see the programs of public adminsitration and nonprofit administration continue to expand and reach new students. I have been in administration for over 11 years, and I know how vital it is to have the next generation of young people groomed and prepared for the new challenges facing our communities. What a rewarding field for people that are interested in giving back to their communities by solving difficult problems." -Richard Moore (Current MPS Student)
  • "The impact of technological innovations creates exciting opportunities to make the profession more efficient, effective, and transparent. Alongside these benefits, however, there are new technological challenges that will require innovative solutions." -J. Allen Staley (Current Doctoral Student)
  • "From time to time the outlook for the world of public service, or the "social sectors," can seem a bit dim. The vagaries of economic, social and political factors lead to cloudy forecasts...frustration with government...anxiety about nonprofit effectiveness...monetary rewards flowing to the private sector and those who put such rewards first. But through each of these overcast periods, I have seen here at TSU and in middle Tennessee that committed public servants still give their all to their work, while new students still eagerly prepare to enter the public service driven by their desire to serve a greater community. All these mission-focused in-service and pre-service students give me great encouragement and excitement regarding the future of our work, which is not driven by profit, but by people." -Dr. Meg Streams (DPA Faculty Member)
  • "The increasing number of individuals getting their MPAs and working in the nonprofit field. The increasing number of nonprofits that exist and are serving communities." -April Terrell (MPA 2009)
  • "This field's definition is continously growing. I find the seeking of a true definition to be very exciting; it's almost equivalent to watching a flower bloom." - Aaron Toran, Jr. (MPA 2016; Grad Certificate in Nonprofit Management 2016)
  • "The changing nature and benefits of working with a diverse public." -Dr. Candace Warner (PhD 2016)
Q What advice would you give to future public and nonprofit administrators?
  • "Be honest. Adversities in life after college are inevitable. Success requires perserverance against all odds. It gets better when you don't give up." -Atolagbe Abayomi (MPA 2011)
  • "Follow your passion and do what is expected and needed to attain the job you want. Let your passion drive out apathy, and never succumb to indifference toward the important work of government and nonprofits." -Tyler Carpenter (MPA 2015: Grad Certificate in Health Admin & Planning 2015)
  • "Seek every opportunity to convert an obstacle into an opportunity. Be persistent, and never compromise your integrity." -Jason Goodrich (MPA 2015; Grad Certificate in Nonprofit Management 2015)
  • "I would emphasize “Sharing, Opening, and Helping” in the field of public administration. It is critical to target on the necessary knowledge and information that you want to learn, and make sure you are able to apply that knowledge and information in your careers and lives. Also, I would advise current students to continually seek creative and innovative ways that can help you make a difference in the world. I do believe you can transfer your passion about knowledge in the field of public administration into areas beyond the classroom and the workplace, which contributes to making better communities." -Dr. Kyujin Jung (DPA Faculty Member)
  • "Every aspect of your professional and educational background matters. The future of public administration will need innovation to be driven by diverse perspectives. Be sure to have a solid foundation on the fundamentals of administration, especially in the area of finance. Always be mindful of opportunities where entrepreneurial solutions will allow your work to become more efficient and effective." -Dr. Kenyatta Lovett (PhD 2014)
  • "Formal education is a first foundation for your preparation for a career in public service, or further development of a career already in progress. Your studies can help you deepen your understanding of the issues at stake in public service, as well as enhance your skills for navigating the policy world and delivering services to stakeholders. However, in my view there are also two other important bases for success in a career. One is on-the-job learning through workplace mentorship and peer relationships. We can gain insight from every workplace and every position - even if only, sometimes, what not to do! So be alert for each chance to learn from colleagues and new situations. Don't let the rush of everyday operations prevent you from reflecting from time to time on the connections between what you learned in the classroom and what you observe "in the field." The last key element is your personal commitment to your profession and continued growth as a professional. Being a professional is not about the size of paycheck received, or how high in a hierarchy you rise...sometimes those external rewards may even turn out to be less fulfilling than expected. Society and organizations will always present us with unexpected constraints and new hurdles, but we will continue to have the most control over ourselves and our own knowledge. As your professional competency grows, I hope you will find fulfillment by looking for new ways to serve more effectively, by keeping up with changes, and by staying focused on the fundamental values of public service. In a stormy climate those values are still our safe harbor." -Dr. Meg Streams (DPA Faculty Member)
  • "While in school, try to get an internship with a nonprofit or join AmeriCorps to gain experience." -April Terrell (MPA 2009)
  • "Focus on being prepared, well-rounded, and flexible enough to integrate fields and/or professions that you hadn't envisioned." -Aaron Toran, Jr. (MPA 2016; Grad Certificate in Nonprofit Management 2016)
  • "Keep sigh of your role and mission - to serve the public." -Dr. Candace Warner (PhD 2016)
Alumni
We proudly celebrate the many accomplishments of our alumni. If we missed you, please just drop us a line for the Fall/Winter 2017 TPS newsletter.
Awards & Honors
  • Dr. Candace Warner (PhD 2016) was recognized as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year from the College of Arts and Sciences and Valdosta State University.
  • Tachaka Hollins (Grad Certificate in Nonprofit Management 2012) was selected as a Maxine Smith Fellow by the Tennessee Board of Regents (March 2016), received the ATHENA Young Professional Nominee award (March 2016), and was selected for Nashville's Black 40 Under 40 Award (May 2016).
  • Dr. Jill Pittman (PhD 2011) was selected to be a Fellow of the America Achieves Teachers and Principals Fellowship. This program brings together 100 of the country's most effective teachers and principals to share ideas, learn from thought leaders, develop skills, and advice policymakers on local, state, and national education policies.
Service
Advanced Study
  • Tachaka Hollins (Grad Certificate in Nonprofit Management 2012) earned her Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University.
  • Brittany Sims (MPA 2012; Grad Certificate in Nonprofit Management 2012) is in her second year at the University of Tennessee College of Law. Last Summer, she interned for Federal Judge Pamela Reeves of the Eastern District of Tennessee.
  • John Evans (MPA 2004; Grad Certificate in Health Admin & Planning 2004) graduated with Honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in May 2011.
Publications & Presentations
Positions, Promotions, and Other Developments
Current Students
We proudly celebrate the many accomplishments of our current students. If we missed you, please just drop us a line for the Fall/Winter 2017 TPS newsletter.
Awards & Honors
Publications & Presentations
New PhD Graduates
Faculty
Transitions
  • The Department of Public Administration was proud to hire two new faculty members in recent years. Dr. Kyujin Jung (Univeristy of North Texas) began in the Fall of 2015, and Dr. Anthony Campbell (University of Nebraska Omaha) began in the Fall of 2016. 
Service
  • Dr. Anthony Campbell took a position as a Board Member with the ASPA Section on Transportation Policy & Administration, and is currently helping them to develop their new website (April 2017); he also became a member of the Metro Government's Active Transportation Working Group, and helped them to deploy their Active Transportation & Affordable Housing Survey to TSU's faculty, staff, and students (October 2016); and, finally, he is currently working with Dr. Stacy Dorris (Vanderbilt Medical Center) to maintain the Nashville Pedestrian Death Registry, which they developed together.
  • Dr. Anthony Campbell oversaw the application process and development of the ICMA Student Chapter @ TSU, which allows TSU graduate students to avail themselves of a free ICMA membership and access to the ICMA's wealth of research resources related to local government. Dr. Campbell serves as the Chapter Sponsor, alongside Chapter President Jim Conner (current MPA student) and Chapter Mentor Eric Stuckey (City Administrator, Franklin, TN). In keeping with this development, Dr. Campbell also developed a relationship between the Department of Public Administration and the Tennessee City Management Association (TCMA), which enables graduate students to access a free TCMA membership. For more information on joining either organization, students are encouraged to contact Dr. Anthony Campbell.
  • Dean Michael Harris was appointed by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) as a consultant (September 2015).
  • Dr. Rodney Stanley successfully developed a new partnership between the Department of Public Administration and the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration. Dr. Stanley reports that they are excited to begin a new cohort for the Public Administration Executive Leadership Certificate program this Fall.
  • Dr. Meg Streams, with Julie Roberts (current Doctoral Candidate), did an outreach talk to the Tennessee Municipal League (2016) and were invited to present at the State of Tennessee Executive Branch Liaisons workshop (2015).
Publications & Presentations
Dr. Kyujin Jung, Assistant Professor
Get to Know Your DPA Faculty:
Dr. Kyujin Jung, Assistant Professor
Q What attracted you to become a public administration professor and researcher?
  • When I was working as a researcher at the Seoul Institute (the official think tank of the Seoul Metropolitan Government in South Korea), I realized I wanted to make a difference in communities and to change institutional initiatives that were not really fulfilling citizens’ needs. For instance, certain manuals for disaster management were quite old and still remained as a strong rule (akin to "red tape" in public administration). Though the meetings in the field with citizens and practitioners, I realized that one of the most effective ways to make a difference was to change myself from a consumer to a producer of knowledge in the field of public administration. Again, the fact was that I had only relied on the knowledge that public administration professors and/or researchers provided before, rather than producing legitimate evidence and/or policy implications that might help public administrators. So I immediately came to the United States to pursue my Ph.D., and I started the doctoral program at the University of North Texas.
Q What do you enjoy about working for the Department of Public Administration?
  • First of all, my position with excellent faculty colleagues and graduate students, as well as an outstanding environment that is well-suited for my current research stream and teaching interests. TSU and the City of Nashville are a great laboratory to motivate young scholars who are focused on public policy analysis and management. I fully enjoy learning from and collaborating with colleagues and working professionals in the Nashville Metropolitan Government. Lastly, local communities in Nashville are diverse and multi-cultural, so my family and I have been having a wonderful time here. I value my wife and baby boy, and I believe the nice weather and green mountains always make us happy.
Q When you're not working, what do you do for fun? 
  • Since arriving in Nashville, I have been participating in the Nashville Soccer League. Believe or not, I was a professional soccer player when I was young. I mainly do it now just for staying healthy. I play soccer with my friends in the league, and it really leaves me feeling refreshed. Also, I have been volunteering with various community service activities, such as serving homeless people with the local Korean church. I love to work with my friends and share what we have with those who might need our help. It means a lot to me, and I do believe that sharing something you have with another person makes a positive difference in the world.
Q What is a hidden secret about Nashville that you've discovered?
  • Maybe Nashville Zoo at Grassmere? Since my wife and I have a baby boy, we purchased a membership last year. We really love the Zoo! It is a great place for refreshing and sharing fun times with your family. Once or twice a week, we go there and see animals. If you’ve never been there, you should soon visit! You might be surprised by the large collection of animals and wide variety of amenities that the Nashville Zoo offers.   
Q What is a part of your research agenda that currently excites you the most?
  • One of my current research projects aims to investigate the 2016 Louisiana floods by analyzing policy networks for disaster response and recovery. The preliminary findings suggest an integrated framework for policy analysis and management, utilizing big data. With this project, I aim to apply stochastic actor-based models with social network analysis into understanding patterns of individual and/or interorganizational relations on social media. I have also been incorporating the use of advanced analytic techniques, such as specialized policy analysis software, to examine the dynamic structure of policy making and evaluation (e.g., RSIENA, UCINET, NetMiner, and Webometric Analyst). By analyzing big data collected from Facebook and Twitter, I hope to provide practical recommendations on how to understand social media use, as well as the nature of Government 2.0 in the United States. 
Department of Public Administration Events
The Department of Public Administration, in close partnership with the College of Public Service, has been involved with several events over the past academic year. Below are the highlights of a few events DPA contributed to being a succes.
2017 Nashville Nexus Knowledge Forum
Thanks to generous donations from the College of Public Service and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Institute of Government held a public forum with community members on March 24, 2017. This forum was designed to foster a deliberative dialogue on education, human capital, and innovation for an economy of knowledge. Over 50 attendees took part in the event, and there were panelists from the Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), Metro Nashville Education Association (MNEA), Metro Government Mayor Megan Barry's Office, the Metro Nashville Public Schools School Board, Project Renaissance, Complete Tennessee, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the TN Department of Education, the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), and the TN College of Applied Technology. The keynote speakers for the event were Dr. Stuart Andreason and Laurel Graefe, both from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Lunch was provided by the Steaming Goat Food Truck.
2nd Annual Command College Graduation
The College of Public Service (CPS) and Department of Public Administration (DPS) recognized graduates from Cohorts 3 and 4 of the Executive Leadership (or "Command College") program, as well as individuals who went on from the Command College to earn an MPA or MPS. 30 professionals from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) earned their Executive Leadership certificate, 19 earned their MPS degree, and 1 earned her MPA. The Command College is one outgrowth of the rich relationship that has been developed between CPS, DPA, TBI, and TDOC as a result of Dr. Rodney Stanley and Dean Michael Harris' concerted efforts. When delivering remarks at the graduation ceremony, TBI Director Mark Gwyn said of his experiences with Command College (as a student and as a TBI executive who has supported the program), "It's not about positions and titles, it's just about trying to become a better leader for your agency and for the citizens of Tennessee."
Dr. Rodney Stanely, TDOC Commissioner Tony Parker, DPA Administrative Assistant Peggy Cameron, TBI Director Mark Gwyn,
Dean Michael Harris
Dean Michael Harris provides opening remarks for the Command College Graduation Ceremony.
Dr. Rodney Stanley welcomes attendess and graduates to the event.
ICMA Student Chapter Event & Oustanding DPA Alumni Awards Ceremony
Having only been awarded a student chapter from ICMA in February 2017, the student chapter held their first event on June 1, 2017 at the Goodwill Corporate Headquarters in Nashville. Student Chapter President Jim Conner (current MPA student) presided over the event, and Dean Michael Harris delivered opening remarks. The guest speaker for the event was Louis J. "Jody" Baltz, who is the City Administrator for Tullahoma and a TSU MPA Alumnus. In addition to the ICMA portion of the event, the 2016-2017 Outstanding DPA Alumni Award winners were recognized.
Dr. Rodney Stanley provides opening remarks.
ICMA Student Chapter President, Jim Conner (MPA Student), presides over the event
2016-2017 Distinguished DPA Alumni with their nominators (from L-R, Dr. Ann-Marie Rizzo, Dr. Michael Cull, Monique Odom, Dr. Meg Streams)
College of Public Service, Tennessee State University
330 10th Ave. N, Mail Stop 139, Suite E-400 | Nashville, TN 37203-3401
phone 615.963.7201 | fax 615.963.7245
pcameron@tnstate.edu | lstokes4@tnstate.edu
www.tnstate.edu/cps
Tennessee State University
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